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Football is not my cup of tea, but bundle anything with a new Star Wars trailer and I'll join in.
I, like many of you, had my eyes glued to the television during halftime of last night's Vikings vs. Bears game, consumed with anticipation for the premiere of the new The Last Jedi trailer. It did not disappoint. The trailer is emotional, powerful, wonderful (get me a thesaurus, I need more words!) awesome. And I'm doing an in-depth analysis of both the trailer and the new poster right here to fulfill your nerding out needs. Let us begin. Warning: the following post may contain spoilers about The Last Jedi. If you wish to see the movie without any prior knowledge, do not read on. That gorgeous poster
I'm in love with this poster, guys. It captures so much of the emotion and suspense that all us Star Wars fans are feeling at this point, and it's a perfect tribute to Carrie Fisher, setting her front and center. The red color scheme that has sent Star Wars fans into a tizzy has been carried over to this poster in an absolutely stunning manner. While, aside from the sheer beauty of this masterpiece, nothing seems to really stand out, there are a couple of things I did notice.
First, it might be difficult to see, but underneath the Star Wars logo, we see an array of those sweet new AT-M6 model walkers ready to meet the oncoming Resistance craft. However, to the left and right of these, I realized that there are actually some of the original, or perhaps variant, AT-AT models used by the Empire. You can see that these are not equipped with the "simian-like" front feet of the AT-M6s. What does this imply? Perhaps it could indicate a budget shortage on the part of the First Order (I mean, I think Starkiller Base probably cost more than a few credits), if they were, in fact, recycling the old Imperial models. However, the trailer appears to possibly show the Order actively manufacturing these (more on that later). Second, I noticed that Rey has a rather large gash on her arm that is not present in the trailer. It is a somewhat minor thing, but it still begs the question: where does she get it? It could be from her scuffle with Snoke that is briefly shown in the trailer, or perhaps during her time on Luke's island. It remains to be seen. Trailer breakdown
All right, in case, for some reason, you've only watched the trailer once (or if you just want to watch it for the 400th time!), here it is for a quick refresher:
Now while you try to calm yourself down/get over your chills/stop screaming, I'll go ahead and jump right in to the analysis.
Here we have, as I mentioned earlier, Kylo Ren looking over what appears to be a First Order manufacturing plant. Alternatively, this could be the interior of a Star Destroyer--those strange looking machines on the left and right appear to be some type of carrier for some of the Order's walkers. Either way, I don't actually see any AT-M6s in this shot, only the normal AT-AT models, or perhaps a variant of them. I find the Order's continued use of these models intriguing, as the M6 is much more stable and powerful. As I theorized, this may indicate budget shortages or some other major complication in the First Order's camp.
The next shot does give us a nice view of the new M6 walkers, as well as Kylo Ren's personal shuttle. As has already been revealed, this impending battle will take place on Crait, a mineral planet that will serve as a new base for the Resistance in the film. Interestingly, from the clips we've seen of the battle, it does seem to resemble the Battle of Hoth in The Empire Strikes Back. Star Wars fans have feared this type of similarity in The Last Jedi after The Force Awakens took some obvious cues from A New Hope; it remains to be seen, though, whether Rian Johnson will throw some type of twist into this battle that will give it a fresh feel.
While this is happening, Supreme Leader Snoke, who to this point has had no mention in any trailers or posters, says, "When I found you, I saw raw, untamed power. And beyond that, something truly special." Several shots of Ren are shown, including him walking through a mysterious cavern with a legion of troopers close behind. As Snoke states, "something truly special," we get a shot of Rey turning on her lightsaber: 
I actually want to stop here for a second and propose an interesting theory. We are made to believe that Snoke is talking about Kylo Ren when he is speaking. But what if it's Rey? Luke's words seem to suggest that he is talking about Kylo when he says later in the trailer, "I've seen this raw strength only once before." Nonetheless, it does provide a rather intriguing bit to much on--we've assumed that Rey was under Luke's training, but what if she was actually under Snoke?
For one thing, Luke does not seem to recognize Rey (this is evident in his observation of her raw strength, which presumably he would have known about had he trained her before). In the novelization of The Force Awakens, Kylo Ren does recognize Rey; if Luke does not recognize her, it is clear that Ren and Rey would not know each other via Luke's padawan program. Could there have been a time when Kylo and Rey were both under Snoke's tutelage? Further, we also know that, in the novelization, a evil voice urges her to kill Kylo Ren--some have theorized this is Palpatine, but...Snoke! Just sayin'. 
It's confirmed--Luke actually does take the lightsaber, but since it is now officially termed "Rey's lightsaber," we can reasonably assume he gives it back. (Side note: it's really surreal seeing Luke's island since I just recently visited).
All this time, Rey says, "Something inside me has always been there. But now it's awake, and I need help." We see her again approaching a mysterious fortress that almost looks like a giant tree: 
It's in here that she finds a strange book we saw in the last trailer. In my last breakdown, I discussed the theory that this was the Journal of the Whills--you can read that analysis here, if you're curious. If you don't want to take the time to read it, in short, this will likely be a pivotal point in the story and Rey's journey into the Force. Where exactly this fortress is, though, remains up for debate.
Next, we see a few shots of Rey wielding a lightsaber like a boss before the ground splits open. Luke is a bit taken aback: 
The general idea of this trailer seems to be that Rey is quite strong in the Force, but she needs a little bit of refinement or direction. Is this what she meant when she said that she needs help? If you read my breakdown of the first teaser, my theory (which seems to be strengthened by this trailer) is that Luke will basically tell her that the Force just is, as it were--there is no light/dark sides to it.
There's a good chance she won't accept that belief, but regardless, Luke knows she has great strength, saying, "I've seen this raw strength only once before. It didn't scare me enough then--it does now." Perhaps, after his experience with Kylo slaying all his apprentices, he thinks that power such as Rey possesses should be suppressed and that it does no good for anyone in the galaxy. 
While he says this, we see the familiar shot of Luke dropping to his knees before a burning temple, perhaps. I always viewed this as an event that was to occur in the new film, but this very well could be a flashback of the destruction that Kylo Ren caused to Luke's apprenticeship program to restart the Jedi Order. This certainly seems to make sense given the sequence of this trailer, but it does raise another question: could Kylo Ren really have caused all this destruction alone? In Rey's vision in TFA, he is accompanied by the Knights of Ren--yet, this still seems like a lot for a handful of people. Who, then, helped them accomplish all this? Hmmm....
We see Rey briefly looking troubled or disappointed at Luke's statement that such raw strength scares him. Rejection from Luke would no doubt turn Rey to a different path, perhaps, which seems to be the case later in the trailer. Next comes a flurry of shots that really need to be taken together to understand what's going on. We then see Kylo Ren smashing his helmet into a wall, presumably in a fit of rage. Several shots show him in his new TIE fighter shooting up some Resistance vessels. His line in this portion of the trailer could prove shocking: "Let the past die. Kill it, if you have to. That's the only way to become what you were meant to be." Who is he talking to? Rey? She seems to be the most likely candidate, but why? It is undeniable that she will learn something important about her past in this film; if it is indeed her that he is speaking to, what part of it will she kill? Now, let me stop right here. THIS SCENE GIVES ME SO MANY CHILLS AND EMOTIONS SO JUST BRACE YOURSELF BECAUSE IT'S JUST--GAH! Yes, I broke pretty much every grammar rule just there, because this next scene is--I just can't find words for it. Kylo Ren, as Carrie Fisher looks somberly on, targets the bridge where his mother stands: 
Ren looks extremely conflicted, as he was with Han when he killed him. Nonetheless, he sets his finger on the trigger:
Predictably, we are left to wonder whether he actually pushes it. Nonetheless, if I had to conjecture, I don't think he's going to do it. I realize Leia has to disappear somehow in the next film, but just for the sake of avoiding cliché, I would be surprised if he actually intentionally kills her. Plus, HOW COULD YOU KILL YOUR OWN MOTHER YOU MONSTER?!
We next see the Millennium Falcon being chase through some kind of cave system. Chewie's in the copilot seat and a Porg lets out an adorable little battle cry from the control panel: 
It's unclear who's piloting it, presumably Rey, but what her business in this cave would be is unclear as well.
Now, Poe, everyone's favorite Resistance pilot, makes an appearance--not really in a good way, though. He watches as a Resistance vessel is decimated in a space battle, all the while defiantly declaring, "We have a spark that'll light the fire that'll burn the First Order down." We see what appears to be either a new model or modified X-Wing taking off. I'm not aware of any currently known X-Wing models with that powerful single rocket on the back: 
Next, we get a great shot of Phasma, back from the trash compactor, with her new...stick? I mean, I get it's chrome and shiny, but there has to be more to this metal staff than meets the eye. At least I hope so, because Phasma really didn't get the action she deserved in Episode VII. Finn, in an ironic turn of events, fights her with a Z6 baton, a weapon that nearly took him down in The Force Awakens:
For those of you with keen eyes, you may have noticed those same AT-ATs that were seen earlier in the trailer on the right hand side of the screen. This makes it more likely that the walkers shown earlier were, in fact, on a Star Destroyer that seems to have crashed. It is still possible, though, that this is a factory of some sort that has taken some serious damage.
As an angry Luke warns that "this is not going to go the way you think," we see some more shots of some space-battling action. Leia, in the midst of the ensuing action, looks distraught or perhaps conflicted as she looks upon an empty hangar on Crait: 
Has the Resistance suffered a great loss or is Leia conflicted about something? Is this before or after the battle? It's hard to tell, but the hangar seems relatively quiet--so my money is on that this takes place afterwards or perhaps during.
As for the next few shots, it's hard to conjecture what's going on: 
Rey is clearly at some sort of underground pool, but why? The above shot is especially ominous. If you look closely enough, some kind of orange-reddish glow seems to be coming from somewhere. Is Luke trying to show Rey something, or, dare I say, stop her from going somewhere? It might sound a bit far out, but from what is known about the movie so far, no guess is too crazy.
We briefly see Finn in First Order attire, presumably for an undercover mission. Then, at long last, we get our first, in-person glimpse of Supreme Leader Snoke, as he utters the favorite words of Sith lords across the galaxy, "Fulfill your destiny." 
It's difficult as ever to match any of Snoke's facial features to any other Star Wars character (though, sorry Mace Windu theorists, I don't think this is the guy you're looking for). The only notes I can make is that his eyes are a bluish color and his eyebrows are grey, but, of course, there are countless people who could possess those features, especially considering Snoke's old age. He is sporting his regal gold robes which were leaked through a LEGO set a few months ago.
He's holding Rey in some kind of Force hold akin to the scene in TFA where Kylo tortures Rey with the Force. Rey seems to be violently resisting, which is confusing considering the following scene where Rey says, "I need someone to show me my place in all this." This prompts Kylo Ren to extend his hand: 
There's a good chance this is just Lucasfilm messing with our minds, because it is unclear whether Rey is actually in the same location as Ren when she utters those words. However, if Luke does blow her off (probably for the umpth time in her life), it could push her to the Dark Side. Admittedly, this is probably unlikely because of the film's title, The Last Jedi, but the reason why the title is Sith red color remains a mystery.
Well, that's it for this breakdown! Let me know your theories, thoughts, concerns, and any other (friendly) comments you have in the comments below!
If your Star Wars fix isn't quite satisfied, I have two other trailer breakdowns for your enjoyment, one for The Last Jedi teaser and another for the Season 4 trailer for Star Wars Rebels. Be sure to check them out!
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